Copy and paste the following as a separate page connected to your portfolio then answer the questions on that page.
Split Second Design Worksheet
1. The way an audience perceives the play is shaped by the choice of performance venue, as well as the set that is designed for the play. Indeed, all the elements that you see and hear during a performance are bound to shape your perception of the play. Which of the following venues do you think can best meet the needs of the play?
- A flexible stage design would best fit this play performance in my opinion, because it allows for quick scene changes and a continuous flow action throughout the play. Using this stage design would also be beneficial for the lighting throughout the play as well, which is often manipulated in the stage directions for dramatic effect. A third reason for the choice of this stage design would be for the audience to be close and be able to pick up on and see every single action.
2. What are some of the challenges posed by the play on the stage design team?
- Some major challenges include finding the correct props (such as a car) for the different scenes, situating backgrounds and other props for easy access, and also putting everything where is it noticeable to the audience.
3. Choose a character from the play and suggest how she/he should be dressed. In what ways do you think the costume would help accentuate his/her character? Be sure to indicate which scene you have selected to costume that character. You might even upload a picture of the kind of dress you think would be suitable for that character to wear.
- Parker could be either very easy to dress or very complicated. The reason I say this is because of the fact that he does work at the police station but does not work in the field, but instead just at a desk. I would dress him in something more formal but darker colors to symbolize how deep the situation is and that although Val works for the police office and is respectable, not everyone wants to be on his side. His outfit would need to show how serious he is about his job, but also suggest that he is a slightly manipulative person when he does not trust someone. It would also need to be in budget. For the scene where Parker is introduced and questions Val, I think dark jeans, a black blazer or jacket, and a light gray button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up and the top two buttons undone would fit. The reason I mention the sleeves and top buttons is because the report is supposedly taken late at night and it has most likely been a long day. http://www.mensfashionforless.com/blue-grey-shirt-black-jeans-brown-ankle-boots.html
4. Given the content of the play, how might the lighting design help further the mood of the production? Move thru the play scene by scene to provide a possible progression.
- Throughout the play, the lighting seems to be often lowered and completely blacked out at the ends of the scene. The darker lighting, especially when something dramatic happens, is important to show the audience that this is a deep situation and should not be taken lightly. The only scenes there should be more light are when Val comes in contact with maybe his wife and father, and the outside scene when he speaks to Charlie, otherwise, things should be dull to create a duller mood.
5. Suggest music or sound effects that might be used to accentuate the mood or atmosphere of the play and the transitions between parts of the play. You might even choose to upload music or sound effects that you think are suitable for the play, or moment in the play, or as preshow music or transitions from one scene to another.
- Music throughout this play should not have any sort of intensity to it, but maybe have a sort of edge that does create an anxious mood similar to Val's unsureness throughout the play. City sounds could be an advantage in the beginning scene and the one outside, while typical sounds of a bar (glasses clinking, people talking) could be good for the bar scene with Charlie and Val. Also, any sounds that are directly pointed out or could be directly pointed out should be included (the gunshot, a light being turned on in the apartment, ect). Lastly, leaving silence after an intense scene (the shooting, fight with Rusty) through the transition could also create an eerie mood.
Split Second Design Worksheet
1. The way an audience perceives the play is shaped by the choice of performance venue, as well as the set that is designed for the play. Indeed, all the elements that you see and hear during a performance are bound to shape your perception of the play. Which of the following venues do you think can best meet the needs of the play?
- A flexible stage design would best fit this play performance in my opinion, because it allows for quick scene changes and a continuous flow action throughout the play. Using this stage design would also be beneficial for the lighting throughout the play as well, which is often manipulated in the stage directions for dramatic effect. A third reason for the choice of this stage design would be for the audience to be close and be able to pick up on and see every single action.
2. What are some of the challenges posed by the play on the stage design team?
- Some major challenges include finding the correct props (such as a car) for the different scenes, situating backgrounds and other props for easy access, and also putting everything where is it noticeable to the audience.
3. Choose a character from the play and suggest how she/he should be dressed. In what ways do you think the costume would help accentuate his/her character? Be sure to indicate which scene you have selected to costume that character. You might even upload a picture of the kind of dress you think would be suitable for that character to wear.
- Parker could be either very easy to dress or very complicated. The reason I say this is because of the fact that he does work at the police station but does not work in the field, but instead just at a desk. I would dress him in something more formal but darker colors to symbolize how deep the situation is and that although Val works for the police office and is respectable, not everyone wants to be on his side. His outfit would need to show how serious he is about his job, but also suggest that he is a slightly manipulative person when he does not trust someone. It would also need to be in budget. For the scene where Parker is introduced and questions Val, I think dark jeans, a black blazer or jacket, and a light gray button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up and the top two buttons undone would fit. The reason I mention the sleeves and top buttons is because the report is supposedly taken late at night and it has most likely been a long day.
http://www.mensfashionforless.com/blue-grey-shirt-black-jeans-brown-ankle-boots.html
4. Given the content of the play, how might the lighting design help further the mood of the production? Move thru the play scene by scene to provide a possible progression.
- Throughout the play, the lighting seems to be often lowered and completely blacked out at the ends of the scene. The darker lighting, especially when something dramatic happens, is important to show the audience that this is a deep situation and should not be taken lightly. The only scenes there should be more light are when Val comes in contact with maybe his wife and father, and the outside scene when he speaks to Charlie, otherwise, things should be dull to create a duller mood.
5. Suggest music or sound effects that might be used to accentuate the mood or atmosphere of the play and the transitions between parts of the play. You might even choose to upload music or sound effects that you think are suitable for the play, or moment in the play, or as preshow music or transitions from one scene to another.
- Music throughout this play should not have any sort of intensity to it, but maybe have a sort of edge that does create an anxious mood similar to Val's unsureness throughout the play. City sounds could be an advantage in the beginning scene and the one outside, while typical sounds of a bar (glasses clinking, people talking) could be good for the bar scene with Charlie and Val. Also, any sounds that are directly pointed out or could be directly pointed out should be included (the gunshot, a light being turned on in the apartment, ect). Lastly, leaving silence after an intense scene (the shooting, fight with Rusty) through the transition could also create an eerie mood.